Select Board approves National Grid work, Holland fiber pact

Select Board · Meeting of March 2, 2026

Sturbridge Select Board approves National Grid conduit work, finance director's contract and a Holland fiber-sharing pact. The board unanimously closed a public hearing and approved National Grid's petition to install underground conduit and two manholes on Podunk Road, part of an ongoing reconductoring project. Members also ratified a professional services agreement with 32-year Finance Director Barbara Perry, including a seniority step adjustment and succession-planning provisions, and approved a memorandum of understanding with the town of Holland tied to a Massachusetts Community Compact fiber grant meant to fix a security-camera data delay at Holland Elementary School.

Holland Select Board Chair James Whalen said the town expects a grant decision within about 10 days, ahead of an April 8 deadline. The board also posted the dual warrant for the April 13 town election and April 27 town meetings and capped a hazard mitigation plan contract at $20,000.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of March 2, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.